Who is Building Boxes for Netflix?

How's this for a logical reasoning puzzle? Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said during his company's earnings conference call earlier this week that Netflix is working with four companies to build devices that will play streaming video on a TV screen.

Here's what we know:
1) One of the four is LG. 2) Three of the four are major companies that sell millions of devices each year (one of the three is LG). 3) One of the four is a small company that will launch by the end of 2008. 4) Netflix wants its software on Internet connected Blu-Ray players, game consoles, TVs, and standalone set-top devices.

With those details, what can we surmise? Well, first off, that Netflix is working with at least two more major consumer electronics manufacturers, and that these companies likely make gaming systems and Blu-ray players. Any nominees?

Alley Insider guesses Microsoft must be on the list, but what about Sony? Is AppleTV out of the picture? Place your bets. -Rachel Rosmarin

Silicon Alley Insider

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